Status of Ocean Dumping Research in New York Bight

by R. Lawrence Swanson, (M.ASCE), Manager; Marine EcoSystems Analysis, New York Bight Project, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, State Univ. of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y.,

The New York Bight extends seaward from Long Island and New Jersey to the edge of the continental shelf. Wastes from approx 20,000,000 people are discharged to the Bight Apex. These wastes arrive by a variety of routes: Ocean dumping, sewer outfalls, atmospheric fallout, river discharges, land runoff, thermal discharges, vessel wastes, and occasional spills. Biotic aberrations in the Apex are more prevalent than in comparable coastal environments. Locally, ocean disposal of sewage sludge and dredge material can be associated with these impacts. Comparable studies of existing ocean dumping practices, and proposed alternative ocean disposal sites, nearly 65 nautical miles (120 km) out on the continental shelf were completed.